Fracking plan for South Australia’s Limestone Coast sparks outrage

South Australia’s ban on fracking was set to remain in place for two more years, but farmers, environmentalists and communities expressed shock and dismay over laws that will open the Limestone Coast to unconventional gas development, with some calling the move ‘deeply regrettable’ and ‘environmentally disastrous’.

A 10-year moratorium on unconventional gas was introduced by the Marshall Liberal government in 2018 in response to widespread community opposition to fracking in the southeast. A parliamentary inquiry concluded the industry lacked a social license, and a survey found 95% of residents wanted the region to remain gasfield-free.

On Thursday, Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas announced plans to overturn the ban two years early, with legislation set to be introduced in state parliament this week.

Pete Bissell of the Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council described the government’s decision as ‘extremely disappointing’ and a broken promise.

‘Fracking is not the answer here. Elsewhere in Australia, it has led only to short-term gains accompanied by fast depletion rates on gas wells,’ he said. ‘To jeopardise the sustainable farming future of the region, for projects of this kind, is deeply regrettable.’

The Limestone Coast region, stretching between the Victorian border and the South Australian coast, is prime agricultural land. It produces 83% of Australia’s lucerne, half of the state’s dairy and potatoes, and nearly a third of its wine grapes. It is also home to the World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves and nationally significant wetlands including the Coorong National Park and Piccaninnie Ponds.

Primary producers and communities in the region depend on ancient groundwater aquifers that have been in steady decline since 1993. Risks to this natural resource are consistently cited as a concern related to fracking activity.

The current embargo on hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, applies across seven local government areas: Mount Gambier, Naracoorte Lucindale, Grant, Tatiara, Kingston, Wattle Range and Robe.

The Guardian offers a free newsletter on climate and environment, written by editor Adam Morton.

The Limestone Coast Local Government Association said no fracking should occur until a region-wide assessment of environmental, social and economic impacts is completed.

The association’s president, Lynette Martin, who is also mayor of Mount Gambier, said councils were ‘acutely aware of the anxiety and concern’ the announcement had created in the community.

‘This region is built on the strength of its food and fibre industries – industries that are established, sustainable and critical to our economy,’ she said. ‘We should be backing those industries with confidence, not creating uncertainty that could undermine future investment.’

Explaining his government’s decision to remove the blanket ban, Malinauskas told Sky News that gas was a ‘necessary component’ of reaching net-zero emissions. ‘There is no world where we get to Paris [climate agreement targets] without gas playing a role in transition.’

He said any proposals would be subject to ‘rigorous scientific, environmental and community scrutiny’.

Georgina Woods, acting national coordinator of the Lock the Gate Alliance, called it a ‘shocking decision’ that broke the state government’s promise ‘to protect precious groundwater and fertile farmland from the environmentally disastrous impacts of fracking’.

‘What’s even more surprising is the timing,’ she said, noting the announcement came just eight weeks after the state election.

The South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy, however, said the change would ‘restore science-based decision-making’.

‘As the east coast faces tightening gas supply, unlocking responsibly regulated local production is a practical step toward energy security and affordability,’ said chief executive Catherine Mooney.

The decision follows an agreement between the SA government and Santos signed in February, contracting the company to supply 20 petajoules of gas annually over 10 years starting in 2030.

The state’s current gas use is about 63 petajoules per year, with electricity generation accounting for roughly half. However, South Australia has a target to reach net 100% renewable energy by next year.

Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the state remained on track for its renewables target. ‘We are proud of our global leadership on renewables – and that has only been possible with the firming capacity of gas,’ he said.

The state’s upper house could pose an obstacle, with One Nation flagging opposition to the government’s plans and the Liberals calling for community input.

Victoria placed a moratorium on all onshore gas development in 2012. A ban on fracking was later made permanent, while the moratorium on conventional gas was lifted in 2020. Fracking is not permitted in Tasmania and parts of Western Australia.